FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2024
We welcomed current boys, new boys, parents and staff, back to school on 17 January and we wished them you all the best for 2024.
GRADE 4 CAPPING CEREMONY
GRADE 7 INDUCTION CEREMONY
The Grade 7 Induction and Grade 4 Capping ceremony is a calendar highlight and a real celebration of our special boys!
Congratulations to all our boys and thank you to our parents for always showing up to make these occasions what they are!
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
We were pleased to have our full Ridge staff complement attend “Safeguarding” training to educate us around what “best practice” looks like, as far as the safeguarding of our boys is concerned.
The we will continue to make the safety of every boy our top priority!
SHARPEN UP CAMPAIGN
Our motto for 2024 is “Sharpen Up”. Mr. Rumboll, the staff and the boys returned ready to conquer the new school year and are looking forward to an action-packed 1st term.
WELCOME TO THE NEW STAFF TO THE RIDGE FAMILY
Kayleigh Nielsen
“To teach is to touch a life forever”
This quote is true in every sense. Teaching is not just a job for me but my absolute passion. I am grateful for each little mind I’ve helped shape, each little heart I’ve helped grow and each little personality I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. It gives me great joy helping boys reach their full potential inside and outside of the classroom.
I am Kayleigh Nielsen and I am a passionate and dedicated teacher. I went to St Mary’s School in Waverley for my entire schooling career and it was very clear that teaching was the career path that I was going to choose. I was privileged enough to be taught by some incredible teachers and this only solidified my career choice. I was also heavily involved in sport at St Mary’s which fuelled my passion for sport and helping children outside the classroom too. After school, I went on to study a Bachelor of Education in the Foundation Phase at the University of Pretoria. I realised I had a passion for helping children with learning barriers and decided to further my studies. I studied my honours degree in Learning Support at the University of Pretoria.
I was fortunate enough to get a job straight out of varsity and went into teaching at KEPS. I was privileged to teach boys from Grade 0 to Grade 3 as well as work in the School Based Support Team. I worked with the most wonderful boys and helped them achieve success where they may have had barriers. In addition to my work in the classroom, I was heavily involved in the sports programme. I was involved in water polo, cricket, rugby and tennis at KEPS and I hope to carry this experience with me at The Ridge School.
I look forward to knowing and growing young gentlemen at The Ridge and ensuring that each boy reaches his full potential no matter any difficulty he may face. I am grateful for the wonderful opportunities that have been afforded to me and I am excited for what is to come.
Grant Dodds
I am a lifelong educator and sports coach. With an extensive background in both education and sport (including having attended the Tokyo Olympic Games as a coach), I bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to The Ridge school community. As a dedicated family man, and committed not only to the academic and athletic growth of our students but also share a special connection to our community, as my son has recently begun his journey at The Ridge. With two children aged 3 and 6, I am eager to contribute my expertise, passion, and commitment to creating a vibrant and supportive learning environment for our boys.
Angelique Koll
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing will get better. It’s not.” The Lorax could not have said it better: unless someone cares enough to make a difference, help, or support, there will never be a change. This is how I view learning support.
Growing up in Edenvale, I attended Hurlyvale Primary School, a co-ed school and then followed on to high school at Holy Rosary School for girls. This allowed me to see the benefit of being in a monastic school. Holy Rosary School also introduced me to the Catholic School Ethos. I am now a mom of two little girls, both of whom attend Holy Rosary School.
I was involved in hockey and dancing during my school career. After school, I found a love for soccer and spent many hours on the field. I have always been a keen sportswoman and look forward to being on the sports field with boys. This gives a holistic view of each child.
2011, I graduated from The University of the Witwatersrand with my Bachelor of Education and started teaching the following year. I quickly learned that I had a deep interest in learning support, and I went on to complete my Bachelor of Honours in Inclusive Education. Since then, I have taught in both the government and private school systems and in a learning support position at remedial and special needs schools.
As a remedial specialist at the Lighthouse, I aim to meet each boy’s learning support needs, whether inside the classroom or at the Lighthouse. I pride myself on caring enough to help positively change a child’s learning experience.
Val Witt
Born in Canada, I grew up in England and moved to South Africa. I have been privileged to have a diverse and rich upbringing.
At five, I decided to become a special needs teacher. I was lucky enough to grow up in a foster home run by my mother. Of the six of us, the last child was a syndrome child, of whom I was incredibly fond. It was from her that I developed a love for education and a belief that while some may learn differently, all children have learning potential. Over my teaching years, I have created a strong belief that if a child is failing to learn, exploration is required, and another way to teach the child is vital.
As a youngster, we moved around quite a bit, and I completed my academic career in South Africa at Krugersdorp High School. After completing my teaching diploma, I was honoured to join McAuley House Convent. Here, I taught a grade four class and certain grade seven subjects. I always questioned the development of skills and how scaffolding occurs. I also studied Special Needs Education to obtain the necessary knowledge to understand how children learn.
To practice this newfound knowledge and skill development, I joined the Bellavista School team. In an interview, I told the Headmaster I would stay for two years and then move to special needs education. After seventeen happy and highly productive years, I was ready for a change. I proceeded to special needs education, a life-long dream and was a part of this fulfilling experience for eleven years. I then joined the Crossroads team, where my learning continued for nine years.
I gravitate to the learners who have learning potential but who learn differently; often, their high energy brings with them the opportunity to explore their thinking and learning styles. It is a privilege to bring experience and knowledge to The Ridge School, to support our boys, and to make their learning successful. At the Lighthouse, we aim to create a legacy and give the school educational support, warmth, knowledge, and skill. I look forward to working with you.
Leigh-Ann Louw-Mariuzzi
I resonate with the idea that, in the presence of a problem, there is an absence of a skill. I graduated from High School and decided that I wanted to pursue a working career in the hope that I would be able to further my studies.
My career started out in a very corporate environment, in the FMCG industry, that was fast paced and from the onset goal orientated. I was afforded the opportunity to study to further my position within the company and achieved a Diploma in Credit Management 1 & 2. The experience made me feel a need to further pursue my career, and I then moved into the Finance & Insurance industry.
I then was afforded the greatest gift of becoming a mother. The moment for me was life changing in so many ways that I left the industry I had known and loved for so many years, to pursue the possibility of working at a school as I felt a strong sense of wanting to work with children. I was afforded the opportunity to work at a school. I started exploring this avenue and was lucky enough to be placed in the education sector. I was employed as the PA to the Head of School, Head of Primary and Head of the High School. I was involved in many training sessions and talks surrounding working in a school and was given the very unique opportunity to be invited to receive training for Kids Skills. Dr Ben Furman is a Finish Psychiatrist who bases his teaching on Solution Focused therapy and coaching, to assist children overcome their problems.
I completed the studying and the training, which involved a case study regarding a child that had a problem, and needed help to overcome what they perceived as challenging in his inner world. I qualified as a Kids Skill Coach in August 2021. The qualification has put me in good stead in gaining an understanding of how children embrace the ideology of doing things differently and actualizing their best hopes.
I will strive to give of my very best to The Ridge School and contribute to our boys being known, as they grow.
Melissa Sayers
I am Melissa Sayers and I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining The Ridge School as the new Head of Human Resources.
I’m a proud mother of two extraordinary twin boys, Matthew and Liam who are currently in Grade 5, and a wife to my amazing husband, Brendan Sayers.
I bring with me not only a love for this School, but a dedication to professional excellence and deep-rooted belief in the power of community and collaboration. I am genuinely passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where each and every member of our esteemed team feels valued and empowered to thrive.
Kristy Kirkby
Raised in a sport-oriented household, I have cultivated a deep-seated passion for physical activity. My love for staying active is evident in my enjoyment of working out, playing Padel, and going on hikes. Last April, I took a significant step in my personal life by getting engaged to my wonderful fiancé, and we are currently in the joyous process of planning our wedding, which is scheduled for 2025.
With a background in Copywriting and a period of exploration in the advertising industry, I cultivated my creativity, nurtured a consistent curiosity for the world around me, and developed a profound passion for understanding people. Through this I recognised my true calling, and I embarked on a transformative journey, taking a leap of faith to enroll in a distance BEd Foundation Phase Degree at North West University.
While pursuing my degree, I seized the opportunity to intern at St John’s College, where my education extended beyond the confines of textbooks.
The invaluable experience provided me with a holistic view of the educational landscape and laid the groundwork for my subsequent role as a Grade 4 teacher at Brescia House School. Here, I delved into the nuances of student well-being and realised the paramount importance of fostering genuine relationships with students.
As I transition to this new chapter at The Ridge School, taking on the role of a Grade 0 teacher, I bring with me a considerable amount of knowledge and a passion specifically attuned to the developmental needs of a younger age group. The insights gained from my diverse experiences have set me in good stead for an environment where boys are known and grown. I have had such a wonderful start to this exciting new journey, which will continue to be fueled by the dedication and the lessons learned from my varied professional and educational background and guided by the belief that a growth mindset fosters continuous learning and development.
Much like I sharpened my Copywriting pencil in the advertising industry, I look forward to further developing my skills inside and outside the classroom for years to come.
Cheryl Pleass
I am Cheryl Pleass. I graduated as an educator from the University of the Witwatersrand, and I have nearly 40 years of experience, mostly teaching Grade 0 and Grade One, but I have taught up to Grade 4, and I have coached various sports in the primary schools where I have taught.
I have taught in Government Schools as well as Private Schools. My previous school had a Solution Focused philosophy, which enabled me to become a Kids’ Skills Ambassador. I am at the Ridge School for a year as a locum in Grade 0, for which I am very grateful.
I am passionate about teaching, especially the younger children. I feel very privileged to be able to see and experience life through the eyes of 5 and 6 year olds. I understand that all children are individuals with unique personalities and learning styles, with differing abilities to gain new, and consolidate, and practise, any given skills and strengths, and to allow the children to develop at their own pace.
I feel strongly that children can learn optimally when they are happy, settled, and secure at school and when there is a healthy collaboration between home and school. A child’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development should always be taken into account when teaching children, and when planning activities in order for them to experience success, which builds confidence!
I have a daughter-in-law, and 3 gorgeous grandchildren, who mean the world to me!
SWIMMING GALA
Friday’s bring all the fun with swimming galas now in full swing!
Well done to all our boys!
RIDGEUP
RidgeUp is an academic initiative open to volunteer Grades 6 and 7 boys. Its aim is to deepen and widen our boys’ thinking and to play a role in enhancing our boys’ cognitive futures. It involves weekly seminars, one for Grade 6’s and one for Grade 7’s. Seminars are focused on both creative and curiosity-inspiring learning experiences drawing on Literature, History and Current Affairs/Issues as the base of the thinking programme.
The aim is to enhance critical thinking:
- The capacity to communicate informed opinions that are substantiated and compelling.
- Debating and discussion skills, open dialogues about questions.
- An awareness of what is happening in the world and our country as well as the ability to have a view on what is happening, to learn from it as opposed to being dismayed or disarmed by it.
MR SHARP
The Grade 3s were using their creativity to create a Mr. Sharp during their ART lesson. They used various materials like tin foil, swimming pool noodles, wooden forks, cardboard etc. to produce a unique Mr. Sharp. They had loads of fun.
GRADE 0s LEARNT MORE ABOUT THEIR NEW SCHOOL
The Grade 0 boys learnt about their new school. They visited Mr. Rumboll in his office and were lucky enough to have a run around in the Headmaster’s Garden.
GRADE 0s FIRST WEEK AT SCHOOL
The Grade 0 boys have had loads of fun exploring their new learning environment. Many new friendships have been made and the playground has become a hive of excitement.
HAPPIE CHAPPIE PROGRAMME
The first Happie Chappie for 2024. Congratulations to Adrian Grondel.
HOT LUNCH AT ITS BEST
Hot lunch at school: always a good vibe as our Grade 3s to Grade 7s enjoy a chat with mates while enjoying a healthy meal!
CANOENING AT THE RIDGE
Sat 20 January, saw some of our boys participating in Gauteng Canoeing Sprint Championships at VLC in Germiston.
This event is significant as is used to select the Gauteng provincial representatives for the upcoming SA Canoeing Sprint Champs in March. The sprints are short and fast and are the Olympic disciplines comprising a 200m and 500m, as well as long-distance sprints, which are 2km for the Under 10 and Under 12 age group and 5km for older paddlers.
Congratulations to our boys on their success and commitment!
OLD BOYS NEWS
We were proud to host Julian Kuni, St John’s College’s Top Achiever, as a guest speaker at an assembly!
Thank you for your time Julian, we are so proud to celebrate you as a Ridge Old Boy.
We wish you a WELL DESERVED breather between now and the beginning of your formal studies!
So exciting to see the boys from Grade 7, 2023 settling in at their respective colleges. Some were welcomed by Ridge Old Boys. Wishing you all, the best as you start your amazing high school careers.
Little Stories for the Archive Room
Liza, William Eustace’s mum, shared this lovely story with us recently.
Planting seeds
This is William, in Grade 2 this year, standing beside our beautiful oak tree next to the Rose Pavilion, on his first day of school in 2022. It was his dad, Robert Eustace, who planted the tree in 1987.
Mike, William’s grandfather, was kind enough to share the original letter of thanks sent from our then headmaster Rob Dickson. The letter confirms that two oak trees were planted at the time: ‘… we have selected positions for the two new oaks at either end of the line of established trees above the cricket oval…’
Origins
Mike told us that The Ridge oaks were grown from acorns taken from the ‘Under the Oaks’ tree in the swimming pool area of the Country Club Johannesburg in Auckland Park.
The original oak tree was believed to have been planted by John Landau, the New Zealander who purchased the property from Petrus Lindeque and established the Auckland Park suburb in 1888. The Country Club was established in 1906 on the site of the old Auckland Park Hotel and previous generations of members have recalled the oak tree in existence quite some time before the Club was founded. This matches the timeline of it having been planted around 1888.
Continued link
It’s fitting that a seedling from the oak tree in the Country Club swimming pool area has found a home so close to our own swimming pool as in the 1920s and 1930s, The Ridge held its annual swimming galas at the Club.
Figure 1 Swimming gala held at the Country Club Johannesburg c. late 1920s. Image courtesy of Edna Dunn Collection.
Thank you to the Eustace family for sharing this story with us and to Steve Nicholson and Jeff McKie from the Country Club Johannesburg for providing the background to our tree’s ancestry.